• • You must be an Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card
  • You must have a physical disability of six months or longer
  • Your equipment must be required for your general life (meaning not just sports, work, or school)

• • Obtain your diagnosis from your specialist or practitioner
  • Contact a registered authorizer (you may find them in hospitals, home care agencies, or private practices) who can assess your specific needs and prescribe the right equipment
  • Get in touch with a vendor who can sell the necessary supplies to you*
    • * Note that the ADP will only help pay for equipment that is purchased from vendors registered with the program. You can look up registered vendors, by category of device, here.

a) An accredited Ontario pharmacy OR
b) An Ontario doctor who is licensed to sell prescription drug products and is linked to the Ontario Ministry’s Health Network System

You are eligible for benefits from this program if you live in Ontario, have a valid OHIP card, and at least ONE of these statements applies to you:

• • You are 65 or older
  • You live in a long-term care home or home for special care
  • You are enrolled in the Home Care Program
  • You have high drug costs relative to your income and you are registered in Trillium Drug Program
  • You receive social assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program

If you’re a senior: On the first day of the month after you turn 65, bring your prescription and health card to your pharmacy. Tell your pharmacist that you are eligible for the ODB program.

If your drug costs are high relative to your income: You will need to complete a Trillium Drug Program application for Ontario Drug Benefits (see below).

If you live in a Long-Term Care Home or a Home for Special Care, or you’re enrolled in the Home Care System: Talk to your Community Care Access Centre representative.

If you receive social assistance: Talk to your Ministry of community and Social Services case worker.

3,800 prescriptions drugs is a lot – but the ODB does not include every drug out there. For all others, the Exceptional Access Program may cover additional drug products that are not on the ODB list.

It may be important to note that prescriptions drugs bought outside of Ontario, prescriptions bought at a doctor’s office that is not linked to the Ministry’s Health Network system, and supplies (e.g., syringes) are not covered by the ODB program.

• • A senior over 65
  • Someone who receives financial help through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program
  • A resident in a long-term care home or Home for Special care OR
  • Someone who receives Home Care Services

• • Asking your local pharmacy
  • By calling 1-800-575-5386
  • Downloading the Application for Ontario Drug Benefits and A Guide to Your Application

• He/she must be 18 years or older
• He/she must need support to participate in the community while they are in school, OR
• He/she must have left school and are living with family or independently in a supportive living arrangement (e.g., a group home)

The caregiver of a person with a disability may also be eligible for funding for the purposes of paying others to temporarily support their loved one.

Passport funding can be used for education (e.g., recreational programs, classes at a community centre, but NOT tuition), job preparation activities, volunteer activities, and several others. For a more detailed list you can refer to the Passport tip sheet.

When you apply, keep in mind that there is an extensive wait list to go through. If you need money immediately you might want to try going to Ontario Works. During this time you’ll also need to inform DSO of any changes to names, address, phone number(s), supports, needs, and living arrangements.

Once funding is available, the family or individual can:

• Receive and manage funds directly
• Receive funds directly and use up to 10% of their total approved allocation
• Access funded services through an existing developmental services agency

• • You are OHIP insured on the date of your treatment and your primary residence is in the district of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Timiskaming or Thunder Bay
  • The medical specialist or health care facility-based service you were referred to is under the Health Insurance Act
  • A northern physician, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, midwife, or nurse practitioner has referred you before travel takes place
  • You are referred to one of the following:
    • A medical specialist who is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
    • A Winnipeg (Manitoba) physician enrolled in the Manitoba Health Specialist register who is permitted to bill as a specialist
    • A physician who holds a specialist certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in a recognized medical/surgical speciality other than family/general practice
  • The nearest specialist/designated health care facility able to provide the type of care required in Ontario or Manitoba is at least 100 km from where you live

• • For travel, approved grants are paid at $0.41/km based on return road distance travel between your home and your destination. There is a deductible of 100km on your trip (meaning you must pay for 100km yourself)
    • Example: You need to travel 150 km one-way (300 km two-way).
      • The deductible is 100 km, so 200 km will be paid for by the NHTG (300 km – 100 km)
      • 200 km x 0.41 = $82.00
  • For accommodation, the program gives an allowance of $100 for each eligible treatment trip. You must submit a receipt of your expense.

Some things to keep note of:

• • Costs such as meals and other expenses other than travel and accommodation will not be covered by this program
  • Receipts/itineraries are required if you travel by air, train, or bus (but nothing is needed if you go by personal vehicle)